U.S. patent application number 12/222172 was filed with the patent office on 2009-02-12 for data file outputting program product and data file outputting device.
This patent application is currently assigned to NIKON CORPORATION. Invention is credited to Nobuhiro Hayashi, Hiromi Kuwata, Mayumi Nakayama.
Application Number | 20090041390 12/222172 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40346629 |
Filed Date | 2009-02-12 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090041390 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kuwata; Hiromi ; et
al. |
February 12, 2009 |
Data file outputting program product and data file outputting
device
Abstract
A computer-readable computer program product that contains a
data file outputting program for causing a computer to execute: a
read-in instruction for reading in a plurality of data groups from
a storage medium having recorded therein in correlation to each
other post-edition data, pre-edition data and edition history data,
and each of the plurality of data groups including the post-edition
data, the pre-edition data, and the edition history data in
correlation to each other, one group after another; a data creation
instruction for applying, for each of the plurality of data groups,
a content of edition at each point in time of edition to the
pre-edition data based on the edition history data to create
edition process data at each point in time; and a file output
instruction for outputting in batch the post-edition data, the
pre-edition data, and the edition process data as different data
files, respectively.
Inventors: |
Kuwata; Hiromi; (Chiba-shi,
JP) ; Hayashi; Nobuhiro; (Tokyo, JP) ;
Nakayama; Mayumi; (Chofu-shi, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
OLIFF & BERRIDGE, PLC
P.O. BOX 320850
ALEXANDRIA
VA
22320-4850
US
|
Assignee: |
NIKON CORPORATION
TOKYO
JP
|
Family ID: |
40346629 |
Appl. No.: |
12/222172 |
Filed: |
August 4, 2008 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
382/311 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06T 11/60 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
382/311 |
International
Class: |
G06K 9/03 20060101
G06K009/03 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Aug 6, 2007 |
JP |
2007-204455 |
Claims
1. A computer-readable computer program product that contains a
data file outputting program that is executed by a computer, the
data file outputting program comprising: a read-in instruction for
reading in a plurality of data groups from a storage medium, the
storage medium having recorded therein in correlation to each other
a plurality of post-edition data as a result of edition by a user,
a plurality of pre-edition data, which are originals of the
post-edition data, and a plurality of edition history data in which
contents of editions applied to the pre-edition data have been
recorded at each point in time of edition in the course of creating
the post-edition data, and each of the plurality of data groups
including the post-edition data, the pre-edition data, and the
edition history data in correlation to each other, one group after
another; a data creation instruction for applying, for each of the
plurality of data groups read in by the read-in instruction, the
content of edition at each point in time of edition to the
pre-edition data based on the edition history data to create
edition process data at each point in time; and a file output
instruction for outputting in batch the plurality of post-edition
data, the plurality of pre-edition data, and the plurality of
edition process data created by the data creation instruction as
different data files, respectively.
2. A computer-readable computer program product according to claim
1, wherein: in the file outputting instruction, file names each
containing the same character string to a data file of the
post-edition data, a data file of the pre-edition data, and a data
file of the edition process data, respectively, are assigned to the
post-edition data, the pre-edition data, and the edition process
data being correlated to each other.
3. A computer-readable computer program product according to claim
1, wherein: the post-edition data, the pre-edition data, and the
edition process data are stored in a database to be correlated to
each other.
4. A computer-readable computer program product according to claim
1, wherein: the post-edition data, the pre-edition data, and the
edition process data are stored in a data file to be correlated to
each other.
5. A computer-readable computer program product according to claim
1, wherein the pre-edition data and the post-edition data are image
data, respectively, and the edition history data are data having
recorded therein parameters representing a content of image
processing performed on the pre-edition data.
6. A data file outputting device comprising a program executing
unit-that executes a data file outputting program that is contained
in a computer-readable computer program product according to claim
1.
Description
INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE
[0001] The disclosure of the following priority application is
herein incorporated by reference:
[0002] Japanese Patent Application No. 2007-204455 filed Aug. 6,
2006.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] 1. Field of the Invention
[0004] The present invention relates to a data file outputting
program product and a data file outputting device for outputting
data files.
[0005] 2. Description of Related Art
[0006] Japanese Patent Laid-Open Application No. 2006-350634
discloses an image processing device that stores a history of image
processing on an image and when any point in time in the history is
designated by a user, performs the image processing at the
designated point in time on the image.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] However, in the conventional image processing device, it is
necessary for the user to specifically designate the point in time
of the processing that is desired to be performed on the image.
Accordingly, when it is desired to output all the images prepared
in the course of the image processing in the past, complicated
operations are required.
[0008] In a first aspect, the present invention provides a
computer-readable computer program product that contains a data
file outputting program causing a computer to execute: a read-in
instruction for reading in a plurality of data groups from a
storage medium, the storage medium having recorded therein in
correlation to each other a plurality of post-edition data as a
result of edition by a user, a plurality of pre-edition data, which
are originals of the post-edition data, and a plurality of edition
history data in which contents of editions applied to the
pre-edition data have been recorded at each point in time of
edition in the course of creating the post-edition data, and each
of the plurality of data groups including the post-edition data,
the pre-edition data, and the edition history data in correlation
to each other, one group after another; a data creation instruction
for applying, for each of the plurality of data groups read in by
the read-in instruction, the content of edition at each point in
time of edition to the pre-edition data based on the edition
history data to create edition process data at each point in time;
and a file output instruction for outputting in batch the plurality
of post-edition data, the plurality of pre-edition data, and the
plurality of edition process data created by the data creation
instruction as different data files, respectively.
[0009] In a second aspect, the computer-readable computer program
product according to the first aspect is preferably configured such
that in the file outputting instruction, file names each containing
the same character string to a data file of the post-edition data,
a data file of the pre-edition data, anda data file of the edition
process data, respectively, are assigned to the post-edition data,
the pre-edition data, and the edition process data being correlated
to each other.
[0010] In a third aspect, the computer-readable computer program
product according to the first aspect is preferably configured such
that the post-edition data, the pre-edition data, and the edition
process data are stored in a database to be correlated to each
other.
[0011] In a fourth aspect, the computer-readable computer program
product according to the first aspect is preferably configured such
that the post-edition data, the pre-edition data, and the edition
process data are stored in a data file to be correlated to each
other.
[0012] In a fifth aspect, the computer-readable computer program
product according to the first aspect is preferably configured such
that the pre-edition data and the post-edition data are image data,
respectively, and the edition history data are data having recorded
therein parameters representing a content of image processing
performed on the pre-edition data.
[0013] In a sixth aspect, the present invention provides a data
file outputting device includes a program executing unit that
executes a data file outputting program that is contained in the
computer-readable computer program product according to the first
aspect.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a data
file outputting device according to an embodiment of the present
invention;
[0015] FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating processing by the data
file outputting device according to an embodiment of the present
invention; and
[0016] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing an overall
configuration of equipment used for providing a program
product.
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0017] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a data
file outputting device according to an embodiment of the present
invention. A data file outputting device 100, for example, a
personal computer, includes an operation member 101, a connection
IF (Interface) 102, a control device 103, a HDD (Hard Disk Drive)
104, and a monitor 105.
[0018] The operation member 101 includes various devices to be
operated by a user, for example, a keyboard and a mouse. The
connection IF 102 is an interface to connect with an external
device such as a digital camera. For example, a USB interface for
wireline connection with a digital camera, a wireless LAN module
for wireless connection, and so on. In the present embodiment,
image files are downloaded from a digital camera to the data
outputting device though, for example, the connection IF 102.
[0019] The HDD 104 is a storage medium that records image files
downloaded from a digital camera through the connection IF 102 and
various programs to be executed by the control device 103. The
monitor 105 is, for example, a liquid crystal monitor, which
displays various pieces of information output from the control
device 103.
[0020] In the present embodiment, the image file downloaded through
the connection IF 102 and recorded in the HDD 104 is an image file
of a predetermined format, for example, Exif (Exchangeable Image
File Format for Digital Still Camera) or the like. The image file
of the Exif format includes image data compressed into a
predetermined image format, for example, Jpeg format as a main
image and an additional information section that contains a
thumbnail image created by reducing the main image and time and
date in which the image was taken.
[0021] In the present embodiment, the additional information
section of the image file contains edition history data that
represent a history of image processing on the main image performed
in the past. As the edition history data, there are recorded, for
example, a set of image processing parameters representing the
content of the image processing performed on the main image in the
past for each point in time of editing.
[0022] That is, the user can use various image processing
applications installed in the data file outputting device 100 to
perform image processing on the main image contained in the image
file recorded in the HDD 104. Also, there is a possibility that
before downloaded by the data file outputting device 100, the main
image has already been subjected to image processing by another
device. When it is instructed by the user to execute image
processing, each image processing application accepts an
instruction by the user to record an image processing history. When
it is instructed to record the image processing history, each image
processing application records the set of the image processing
parameters as the edition history data in the addition information
section. The set of the image processing parameters represents the
content of the image processing performed to the main image when it
is instructed to record the image processing history.
[0023] Further, in the additional information section, there is
recorded the main image before the image processing is performed
thereon. For example, when image processing is first performed on a
main image in a camera that acquired an image, a copy of the main
image before the image processing is created and is recorded in the
additional information section as a pre-edition image (pre-edition
data) that is insusceptible to image processing.
[0024] That is, the image file treated in the present embodiment is
constituted by a main image, which is post-edition data on which
various types of image processing are performed, i.e., updated
image, and an additional information unit that includes edition
history data, a pre-edition image, and other additional
information. As mentioned above, in the present embodiment,
correlation is performed by recording the pre-edition image, the
edition history data, and the main image in the image file.
[0025] The control device 103 includes a CPU, a memory and other
peripheral circuits and is functionally provided with an image
processing unit 103a and an image file outputting unit 103b. The
memory that constitutes the control device 103 includes SDRAM and
flash memories. The SDRAM is a volatile memory, which is used as a
working memory of the CPU for expanding the programs upon execution
thereof or as a buffer memory for temporarily storing data therein.
The flash memory is a nonvolatile memory, which records various
parameters to be read in into the CPU when programs are
executed.
[0026] In the data file outputting device 100 according to the
present embodiment, an instruction can be given to a plurality of
image files recorded in the HDD 104 to output pre-edition data
contained in each image file, a history image obtained by
performing image processing on the pre-edition image with the
edition history data, and the main image in separate files,
respectively. For example, the user can select a predetermined
folder in which image files are recorded and instruct to all the
images recorded in the folder to execute file output processing in
batch.
[0027] The image processing unit 103a, when batch output of the
above-mentioned files is instructed by the user, reads in image
files recorded in the selected folder on the SDRAM to acquire the
main image, the pre-edition image, and the edition history data
from the image file. Then, the image processing unit 103a reads in
image processing parameters at each point in time in the past from
the edition history data and performs image processing on the
pre-edition image using them, respectively. This enables one to
obtain history images that are results of editions performed in the
course of starting from the pre-edition image until the main file
is obtained.
[0028] The image file outputting unit 103b outputs image files such
that the pre-edition image, the history image, and the main file
are in separate files. As a result, an image file of the
pre-edition image, an image file of the history image, and an image
file of the main image are created from an original image file.
Note that when the edition history data in the original image file
contain edition histories at a plurality of points in time, a
plurality of history image files are created from a single original
image file.
[0029] The additional information section of an image file newly
created by the image file outputting unit 103b does not contain the
edition history data contained in the original image file. This
enables one to distinguish whether the image file is an original
image file or an image file created by the above-mentioned
processing depending on whether or not there are edition history
data in the additional information section.
[0030] The image file outputting unit 103b records the created
image file in the same folder as that in which the original file in
the HDD 104 is recorded. In this case, the image file outputting
unit 103b assigns, to a pre-edition image file, a history image
file, and a main image file created from an original image file
from the same original image file, those file names that enable one
to distinguish that these image files are output from the same
original file. In the present embodiment, the image file outputting
unit 103b assigns to the image files those file names that contain
the same character string. This enables the user to distinguish a
group of image files created from the same original image file from
other image files at a glance.
[0031] Note that since the main image is stored in the original
image file, the user can view the original image file and the newly
created main image file the same. Therefore, if the main image file
is given a file name that is different from the file name of the
original image file, the user could be confused. Accordingly, the
image file outputting unit 103b is configured to update the
original image file by a newly created main image file, so that the
file name of the main image file will be the same as the file name
of the original image file. Alternatively, the image file
outputting unit 103b may be configured to delete the original image
file and assign the same file name as that of the original image
file to the main image file.
[0032] For example, if the original image file has a file name of
DSCN9414.JPG, the image file outputting unit 103b assigns a file
name of DSCN9414.JPG to the main image file and a file name of
DSCN9414..sub.--1.JPG to the history image file. If there is a
plurality of history image files, subsequently the attached numeral
is increased such as DSCN9414.sub.--3.JPG, DSCN9414.sub.--4.JPG,
and so on. Note that the attached numeral to indicate that the file
concerned is a history image file is used so as to decrease for an
older time of the image processing. This enables the user to grasp
the order in which image processing was performed from the file
names.
[0033] FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating processing to be executed
by the data file outputting device 100 according to the present
embodiment. The processing illustrated in FIG. 2 is executed by the
control device 103b as a data outputting program that is started up
when a specified folder is selected by the user and execution of
the above-mentioned outputting of the image file in the selected
folder as a target is instructed by the user.
[0034] In a step S10, the image processing unit 103a displays the
image list displaying screen as shown in FIG. 2 on the monitor 105.
In a step S20, the display control unit 103a determines whether or
not any check box on the image list displaying screen has been
clicked by the user. If the result of the determination in the step
S20 is NO, the process is advanced to a step S80. If the result of
the determination in the step S20 is YES, the process is advanced
to a step S30.
[0035] In the step S30, the image processing unit 103a reads in an
image file, i.e., original image file for the top of the list and
the process is advanced to a step S40. In the step S40, the image
processing unit 103a determines whether or not there has been
recorded edition history data in the original image file contains
an edition history, i.e., a set of image processing parameters at
the image processing in the past. If the result of the
determination in the step S40 is NO, the process is advanced to a
step S100 to be detailed later on. On the contrary, if the result
of the determination in the step S40 is YES, the process is
advanced to a step S50.
[0036] In the step S50, the image file outputting unit 103b outputs
the pre-edition image of the original image file to a file to
create a pre-edition image file and record it in the same folder as
that of the original image file. On this occasion, the image file
outputting unit 103b assigns a file name to the pre-edition image
file according to the above-mentioned rule of naming. Then, the
process is advanced to a step S60.
[0037] In the step S60, the image processing unit 103a performs
image processing on the pre-edition image of the original image
file using the image processing parameters recorded as the edition
history. On this occasion, the image processing unit 103a when a
plurality of edition histories have been recorded as a result of a
plurality of runs of image processing, performs the image
processing on the pre-edition image according to the
chronologically oldest edition history. Then, the process is
advanced to a step S70.
[0038] In the step S70, the image file outputting unit 103b outputs
the image obtained as a result of the image processing to create a
file and records it in the same file as the original image file. On
this occasion, the image file outputting unit 103b assigns a file
name to the history image file according to the above-mentioned
rule of naming. Then, the process is advanced to a step S80.
[0039] In the step S80, the image processing unit 103a determines
whether or not there is an edition history at the next point in
time in the edition history data. If the result of the
determination in the step S80 is YES, the process is returned back
to the step S60 and the image processing unit 103a performs image
processing on the pre-edition image of the original image file
according to the edition history at the next point in time. On the
contrary, if the result of the determination in the step S80 is NO,
the process is advanced to a step S90.
[0040] In the step S90, the image file outputting unit 103b outputs
the main image of the original file to a file to create a main
image file and overwrites the original image file therewith. Then,
the process is advanced to a step S100, in which the image
processing unit 103a deletes from the list processing completed
image files on which the each processing in the steps S30 to S90
has been completed, and the process is advanced to a step S110. In
the step S110, the image processing unit 103a determines whether or
not there is an image file in the list. If the result of the
determination in the step S110 is YES, the process is returned back
to repeat the processing. On the contrary, if the result of the
determination in the step S110 is NO, the processing is ended.
[0041] According to the present embodiment as detailed above, the
following advantages can be obtained.
[0042] (1) The image processing unit 103a is configured to read in
an image file having recorded therein a pre-edition image, edition
history data, and a main image from the HDD 104 and applies the
content of the image processing at each point in time contained in
the edition history data to the pre-edition data to create a
history image at each point in time. The image file outputting unit
103b is configured to output the pre-edition image, history image,
and main image as different data files in batch. This makes it
possible to readily output history images created in the course of
image processing in the past.
[0043] (2) The image file outputting unit 103b is configured to
assign file names to the pre-edition image, history image, and main
image, respectively, such that each file name contains the same
character string. This enables the user to distinguish at a glance
a group of image files created from the same original image
file.
[0044] (3) The control device is configured to correlate the
pre-edition image, edition history data, and main image to each
other by recording them in an image file. This makes it possible to
easily correlate data to each other by using the image file format
conventionally used.
[0045] --Modifications--The data file outputting device according
to the above-mentioned embodiment can be modified as follows.
[0046] (1) In the above-mentioned embodiment, explanation has been
made on the example in which the pre-edition image, edition history
data, and main image are recorded in an image file to correlate
them to each other. However, the correlation may be performed by
another method. For example, the pre-edition image, edition history
data, and main image may be registered in a database to correlate
them to each other. This makes it possible to perform correlation
of the data even when data other than the main images can not be
recorded, such as the case where image files do not have additional
information sections.
[0047] (2) In the above-mentioned embodiment, explanation has been
made on the example in which the image files recorded in the folder
selected by the user are made targets, which then are output in
batch. However, all the image files recorded in the HDD 104 may be
made as targets to be output in batch. Alternatively, the user may
divide a plurality of image files into groups by using a database
in advance and perform batch processing on image files that belong
to a specified group.
[0048] (3) In the above-mentioned embodiment, explanation has been
made on the example in which a pre-edition image, an edition
history data, and a main image are created based on the pre-edition
image, edition history data, and main image recorded in the image
file. However, the target of the processing is not limited to
images but may be other data of which edition can be performed. For
example, it would also be acceptable to record a pre-edition
document data, edition history data, and updated document data in a
document file and create a pre-edition document file, a history
document file reflecting the result of edition at each time in
point, and an updated document file is created according to an
instruction by the user.
[0049] (4) In the above-mentioned embodiment, explanation has been
made on the example in which the image file outputting unit 103b
assigns file names to the original image file, history image file,
and main image file, respectively, such that the file names contain
the same character string. However, it would also be acceptable to
configure the control device such that when an instruction to
record an image processing history is given by the user, an input
of a name of the history is accepted and an image file containing
the input history name is added to the history image file. This
enables the user to grasp what edition has been performed on the
created history file.
[0050] (5) In the above-mentioned embodiment, explanation has been
made on the example in which a personal computer is used as the
data file outputting device 100. However, other information
equipment, for example, a server device may be used.
[0051] (6) The above-mentioned program relating to control can be
provided through a recording medium such as CD=ROM or data
communication such as the Internet. FIG. 3 is a diagram how the
program is provided. A computer 200 is provided with a program
through a CD-ROM 300. The computer 200 has a function of connecting
with a communication line 310. A computer 400 is a server computer
that provides the program and stores the program on a recording
medium such as a hard disk drive. The communication line 310
includes, for example, communication lines such as the Internet,
personal computer communication or dedicated communication lines.
The computer 400 reads out a program through the communication line
310 using a hard disk drive and transmits the program as data
signals to the computer 200. That is, the program is carried on a
carrier wave to transmit through the communication line 310. In
this manner, the program can be supplied as a computer readable
computer program product in various forms such as a recording
medium or carrier wave.
[0052] The above described embodiments are examples and various
modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the
present invention.
* * * * *